Payton Davis – FamilyToday https://www.familytoday.com Here today, better tomorrow. Fri, 15 Jan 2016 17:10:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.3 https://wp-media.familytoday.com/2020/03/favicon.ico Payton Davis – FamilyToday https://www.familytoday.com 32 32 Watch: Teen named Isis stands up to bullies who make fun of her for her name https://www.familytoday.com/family/watch-teen-named-isis-stands-up-to-bullies-who-make-fun-of-her-for-her-name/ Fri, 15 Jan 2016 17:10:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/watch-teen-named-isis-stands-up-to-bullies-who-make-fun-of-her-for-her-name/ Isis Brown, 14, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, posted a video explaining the bullying she receives at school because she shares her…

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Isis Brown Sends a Message

The terror group ISIS is causing unexpected consequences for a Tulsa girl.
14-year-old Isis Brown has had the name far longer than any terror organization, but that doesn't matter to bullies who have made her a constant target.
Today, she posted this video to send a message of hope for others dealing with the same problem.
Please take a minute and watch her heartfelt video. HER FULL STORY HERE ----> http://bit.ly/1MYjdqu
KJRH DJ ISIS

Posted by Nathan Edwards FOX 45 on Friday, January 8, 2016

A 14-year-old Oklahoma teen posted a clip to social media with the message that people should be able to "love and cherish" their names - though in her case, doing so isn't always easy.

That's because Isis Brown shares hers with a terrorist organization.

And Brown's video details bullying she's faced since the organization ISIS started grabbing headlines for its violent acts a few years ago.

"To all you people out there who have the name Isis, I know what you're going through," Brown says in the video, posted to Facebook Jan. 8. "I have the issue of every day when I walk into school just wanting to stop right there in the middle of the hallway and just cry."

In the clip, Brown details a few particular instances where classmates called her a "terrorist."

The Independent reported the teen has even changed schools due to bullying.

"I had people coming up to me saying, 'Why are you killing us Americans?'" according to Brown's clip. "I'm an American too."

Ultimately, despite her recounts of taunts, Brown does offer a bit of hope for others named Isis.

"If you guys know the real meaning of Isis, it's after a goddess, the goddess of love, and for all you people out there who are getting picked on with this name, don't do what I did," according to the video.

Brown states in the clip she let classmates who made fun of her get the best of her, skipping class to avoid scrutiny, according to Yahoo Parenting.

She also faced cyberbullying on Facebook too, New York Daily News indicated. Anonymous web surfers took to her profile to name call and draw parallels between her and ISIS.

But with a bit of learning, Brown plans to not let bullying get in the way of her loving her name - and she encourages other Isis's to do the same.

"You kids out there with the name Isis, love your name; cherish your name," Brown says. "I'm still learning, and I know you guys are too, but in all reality, you're named after a goddess, not a terrorist group."

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Watch: Alan Rickman helps raise money for refugees in one of his last roles https://www.familytoday.com/family/watch-alan-rickman-helps-raise-money-for-refugees-in-one-of-his-last-roles/ Fri, 15 Jan 2016 16:15:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/watch-alan-rickman-helps-raise-money-for-refugees-in-one-of-his-last-roles/ Actor Alan Rickman, who died Thursday, narrated this simple but effective video for a good cause before his death.

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One of Alan Rickman's final roles before his death Thursday lasted just 30 seconds and mainly featured a tortoise eating a strawberry.

With the clip, called "This Tortoise Could Save a Life," Rickman and Oxford University students had greater ambitions.

Rickman details these ambitions in the video, posted Dec 13.

"We're trying to make a viral video to help refugees," Rickman says, voiced over a tortoise chomping at a strawberry. "We're slowly gathering views as this tortoise munches away. It works like this: The more views the video gets, the more advertising revenue YouTube will give us."

As Mic noted, Rickman closes the video explaining that revenue will go toward Save the Children and the Refugee Council, both aimed at assisting refugees.

"Together, you and this tortoise can make a difference," Rickman says.

The world learned Rickman died at 69 on Thursday and took to the Internet to honor his memory.

Upworthy noted tributes included references to his roles as Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" films and Hans Gruber in "Die Hard."

Watching the tortoise video, however, gives people a unique chance to both remember Rickman and strive for some good, according to Upworthy.

"There'll be no shortage of tributes circling around the Internet, with fans in mourning and reflection, remembering him for the big roles he played on the stage and screen during his lifetime," the report reads. "But just one video lets you help refugees in the process."

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Student pens essay on the perils of binge drinking after doctors told her she might be ‘brain dead’ https://www.familytoday.com/family/student-pens-essay-on-the-perils-of-binge-drinking-after-doctors-told-her-she-might-be-brain-dead/ Thu, 14 Jan 2016 17:05:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/student-pens-essay-on-the-perils-of-binge-drinking-after-doctors-told-her-she-might-be-brain-dead/ Hanna Lottritz, a student at the University of Nevada, wrote an essay describing the experience she had before and after…

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National statistics indicate when Americans under the age of 21 drink, it's in the form of binge drinks - and a blog post penned by a student that's going viral details how perilous the activity can be.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism classifies binge drinking as a pattern of alcohol consumption "that brings a person's blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 grams percent or above."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that typically happens when men consume five or more drinks, women four or more, in about two hours.

CDC indicated 90 percent of alcohol drank by people under 21 is in the form of binge drinks.

And Hanna Lottritz, a University of Nevada student, recounted on her blog her experiences last summer coming out of a 24-hour coma because of overdrinking.

"I was in critical condition, suffering from acute respiratory failure and acute alcohol intoxication. My blood alcohol concentration was .41 when I arrived at the hospital, five times over the legal limit," Lottritz's piece read, reposted on The Huffington Post. "The doctors thought I was brain dead because I was completely unresponsive. My pupils were sluggishly reactive, I had no corneal reflex and I wasn't responding to verbal or painful stimuli."

That all happened after Lottritz chugged whiskey in a competition at a concert and collapsed, soon flown to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada.

When Lottritz awoke from the coma, she had tubes down her throat, with arms restrained, she wrote in the post.

Dark conversation between Lottritz and doctors frightened the student the most, she wrote.

"They told me that they didn't think I would make it through the night," the post read. "They asked me if I was trying to kill myself by drinking so much. This question hit me the hardest."

She detailed her eyes opened to the seriousness of being irresponsible with alcohol in the hospital bed in the Intensive Care Unit.

"The next day when I was discharged from the hospital, I realized that the way I looked at alcohol would be changed forever," Lottritz wrote.

Time reported all that inspired Lottritz to pen the post on her 21st birthday.

Posted Jan. 6, Lottritz's recount went viral, garnering 350,000 page views in the last few days, the Reno Gazette-Journal wrote.

So what's the student's motivation to tell her personal story?

Lottritz told RGJ she hopes her experience with binge drinking "could prevent even one person from going through what she and her family did when doctors expected her to die."

The post indicated the same.

"I am writing this because I didn't realize the importance of drinking responsibly until I was waking up from a coma, and I don't want anyone to go through what my family and I went through," Lottritz wrote in her post. "I ask that you share this with your friends, family or anyone who may benefit from reading this."

The Daily Mail reported alcohol poisoning kills six people in the U.S. each day.

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Pope Francis to meet Google executive at Vatican – for 15 minutes https://www.familytoday.com/family/pope-francis-to-meet-google-executive-at-vatican-for-15-minutes/ Thu, 14 Jan 2016 16:35:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/pope-francis-to-meet-google-executive-at-vatican-for-15-minutes/ Pope Francis rarely opts to meet with leaders in industry, but Friday, that'll be the case when he visits with…

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The potential docket of a visit between Pope Francis and an American technology executive slated for Friday at the Vatican isn't short on speculation - or intrigue.

First, Francis has admitted to not owning a computer, despite praising the Internet's potential.

And he's "an ardent critic of capitalism and inequality," rarely known to meet figures in American business, The Guardian wrote.

Still, Francis is set to meet Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, and The Guardian noted other facets of the visit, including its briefness.

"Francis once described the Internet as a 'gift from God.' But on Friday he is due to meet with someone who may believe the Internet has more to do with his company than divine intervention," The Guardian's piece read. " ... The pope, who more than a billion Catholics believe is God's representative on Earth, will meet with the powerful Silicon Valley executive and philanthropist for 15 minutes at the Vatican in Rome."

A person familiar with the details but not authorized to speak indicated the rare meeting is "private" and not related to Google or its parent company, Alphabet, which Schmidt is the executive chairman of, USA Today wrote.

Jared Cohen, a former State Department staffer who Schmidt recruited to head Google Ideas, is to join in the meetup.

Business Insider confirmed the meeting is "definitely" happening and detailed Francis' prior soundbites on technology.

"Francis, aged 79, has previously said that he does not own a computer but he seems to be aware of the Internet's power, describing it as a 'gift from God' because of its ability to offer 'immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity,'" BI wrote. "'This is something truly good,'" he said in a speech on World Communications Day in 2014.'"

Francis might not surf the web often, but The Verge indicated he's been involved in some tech initiatives at the Vatican since becoming pope in 2013.

The pope has an official Twitter account with 8.4 million followers.

Francis also appeared in two live Google Hangouts from the Vatican, BI noted.

Gizmodo wrote that the talking points among the pope, Schmidt and Cohen aren't known.

However, news of the meetup proves positive.

"It's unclear exactly what's going on the agenda - some new Catholic e-revolution, perhaps - but the fact that a rare meeting between the world of technology and mass religion is happening at all is probably a good sign," Gizmodo's report read.

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Watch: Hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar shares powerful message on mentorship https://www.familytoday.com/family/watch-hip-hop-star-kendrick-lamar-shares-powerful-message-on-mentorship/ Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:45:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/watch-hip-hop-star-kendrick-lamar-shares-powerful-message-on-mentorship/ The Grammy-nominated rapper speaks on the importance of being a mentor in a new video called "Pay It Forward."

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Rapper Kendrick Lamar dropped the album widely acclaimed as 2015's best and garnered 11 nominations for next month's Grammy Awards - but long before all that, he had a mentor.

And Lamar speaks on the importance of such guidance in "Pay It Forward," a PSA supporting the National Mentoring Partnership.

"Sometimes I reflect and think back," Lamar says in the video, posted Monday. "Where would I be if I didn't have the presence of an older acquaintance telling me what's right and what's wrong, telling me the pros and cons of every move I was about to make, telling me the best ways to plan success for my future?"

Lamar continues by detailing a recent visit with President Barack Obama at the White House. Mashable noted talking points included the inner cities and mentorship, "both being aware that mentoring saves lives."

BuzzFeed reported Lamar "had butterflies" during their meeting.

In the PSA, Lamar says paying it forward means giving guidance like he received.

"It's only right that I mentor a younger person with the same wisdom that was given to me," Lamar states. "If it helps the next kid become a better person in life, I will forever be aware of my influence and pay it forward."

Lamar closes the clip by encouraging others to do the same.

According to Billboard, organizations like NMP and Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative provide opportunities to mentor.

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The controversial move Arizona’s governor is taking to shame ‘deadbeat dads’ https://www.familytoday.com/family/the-controversial-move-arizonas-governor-is-taking-to-shame-deadbeat-dads/ Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:10:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/the-controversial-move-arizonas-governor-is-taking-to-shame-deadbeat-dads/ Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced Monday the state's intention to out deadbeat dads in 140 characters or less. Here's what's…

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Arizona parents owing thousands of dollars in overdue child support are about to be shamed by the state - in 140 characters or less.

Gov. Doug Ducey announced during Monday's State of the State message that the Arizona Department of Economic Security's Twitter account is set to start tweeting the names, photos and amount owed of "deadbeat dads."

Tucson News Now detailed Ducey's address, in which he said public shaming might be the best method.

"Some people have referred to me as the 'Hashtag Governor.' Well here's a new one for all the deadbeat dads out there: Effective immediately, the state is going to begin posting the photos, names and money owed by these losers to social media, with the hashtag 'deadbeat,'" TNN quoted Ducey as saying.

Ducey also gave a straightforward solution to those wishing to avoid the outing by social media.

"It's simple. If you're old enough to father a child, then you're old enough to accept financial responsibility for that child," Ducey said. "If you don't want your embarrassing - unlawful - and irresponsible behavior going viral: Man up and pay up."

It turns out the governor's statement wasn't just tough talk, either.

The Week reported the first "#deadbeat" tweet called out a man who allegedly owes $170,993.

The measure is aimed at 421 Arizona parents "who owe what the state considers to be a significant amount in overdue child support," The Verge noted.

So is shaming deadbeat dads through social media an effective measure or crossing the line?

Taysa Peterson, DES spokeswoman, told CNN the issue is about "awareness and accountability." However, the news organization indicated posting information on the Internet is permanent, raising concerns about the "dark side" of such methods of holding people accountable.

CNN cited a 2014 article by Lee Rowland, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, about the danger of "widespread digital availability" of mugshots.

In it, Rowland wrote when entities make records public, they can't "rebottle that genie."

Other Arizona leaders cast doubt on Ducey's plan.

"There are all kinds of potential legal concerns surrounding public shaming, and I don't know that there's any evidence that it works," KTLA 5 quoted House Minority Leader Eric Meyer as saying. "These are parents who, for whatever reason, may not have jobs, and there are lots of Arizonans who may not have jobs, so if you don't have money to pay the bills, yeah, you're a 'deadbeat dad,' but [the families] are not going to get any money anyway."

Still, Ducey mentioned that anonymity aids "deadbeat" parents, The Hill wrote.

"For too long, you've been able to remain anonymous - able to skirt your financial and legal responsibilities with no shame," Ducey said. "Not anymore."

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Was Jennifer Lawrence rude to call out a reporter for using his phone? https://www.familytoday.com/family/was-jennifer-lawrence-rude-to-call-out-a-reporter-for-using-his-phone/ Tue, 12 Jan 2016 17:45:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/was-jennifer-lawrence-rude-to-call-out-a-reporter-for-using-his-phone/ Jennifer Lawrence told a phone-thumbing reporter to "live in the now" during a post-Golden Globes press conference Sunday. Was it…

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Actress Jennifer Lawrence's post-Golden Globes press conference Sunday showed the phenomenon of "pphubbing" - and dialogue on its detriments - is possible in just about any place.

Pphubbing, a recent phenomenon that's been catching on between romantic partners, occurs when one person in a conversation does not look up from their device during a discussion.

My colleague Herb Scribner wrote that pphubbing leaves some people feeling depressed and puts a strain on their relationships.

But in the case of Lawrence shaming a reporter for using a phone while asking questions, the topic brought a bit of Internet-induced heat on Lawrence's part.

"You can't live behind your phone, bro," Lawrence told the journalist as he posed a question while clutching the phone. "You've got to live in the now."

As Mic noted, the reporter then asked about the upcoming Oscars, with the actress again cutting him off.

"We're at the Golden Globes," she said. "If you put your phone down, you'd know that."

The point Lawrence probably sought to make - "about the value of living in the moment rather than living in the screen of an Apple device" - isn't a bad one, Mic wrote. Maybe she's faced some serious pphubbing as of late and her frustrations over it "exploded."

However, the video indicated English might not be the first language of the reporter, E! journalist Juan Pablo Fernández-Feo, the Daily Mail wrote.

And that prompted a slew of social media critiques on Lawrence's actions.

The Guardian noted the scolding of Fernández-Feo wasn't the first time the Golden Globe-winning actress chastised people at the ceremony over phone use.

"Earlier in the night, the actor presented an award with Amy Schumer ... As the two arrived on stage, they criticized someone in the front row for their phone usage," The Guardian's report read. "'Please turn your phone off,' Schumer said. Lawrence laughed and then said: 'Can you please stop taking pictures?'"

So is Lawrence justified in her interaction with Fernández-Feo, or was it as rude as social media users indicated?

Chris Trondsen, a reporter present for the interview, did say Lawrence's comments were "lighthearted."

Mic detailed Trondsen's account of the events through tweets.

"Contrary to the Internet's belief that the reporter said the journalist was reading questions off of his phone, Chris Trondsen said he was likely filming or taking pictures, and that the exchange between Lawrence and him was lighthearted and chill," Mic's piece read.

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2016 children’s book award winners unveiled https://www.familytoday.com/family/2016-childrens-book-award-winners-unveiled/ Tue, 12 Jan 2016 17:30:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/2016-childrens-book-award-winners-unveiled/ The winners for acclaimed children's books are a diverse bunch. Here's why you might want to read them to your…

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The American Library Association announced Monday the 2016 winners of awards for children's books - and there are a few rarities along the way.

Take, for instance, the John Newbery Medal recipient Matt de la Peña with his illustrated children's book "Last Stop on Market Street."

Education Week indicated picture books winning the organization's most prestigious award is "unusual." Most are novels or poetry books.

And The New York Times wrote what else make's de la Peña's victory notable.

"Diversity in children's books has been a hotly debated topic in the publishing world in recent years, and the ALA awards highlighted the issue by recognizing books that captured a wide range of experiences and featured more diverse characters," the Time's piece read. "(The book) centers on a boy who is grappling with poverty and questioning why his family has to take the bus instead of owning a car."

CNN noted other 2016 winners.

"Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear," illustrated by Sophie Blackall and written by Lindsay Mattick, topped the Randolph Caldecott Medal category. Author Rita Williams Garcia for "Gone Crazy in Alabama" and illustrator Bryan Collier for "Trombone Shorty" received the Coretta Scott King awards prizes.

Other honorees underscored the "growing embrace" of graphic novels and memoirs, The Times indicated: Victoria Jamieson's graphic novel "Roller Girl" garnered a Newbery Honor award.

Along with honoring the best creators of media for children, the accolades can also give parents some guidance, CNN wrote.

"Parents can use these titles as a guide when considering what books to recommend to their children and teens, while teachers and librarians look to the titles as a helpful list for what to encourage children to read," the report read.

View notable award-winners in the gallery below

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Regime supporters use social media to send starving Syrians pictures of food https://www.familytoday.com/family/regime-supporters-use-social-media-to-send-starving-syrians-pictures-of-food/ Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:05:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/regime-supporters-use-social-media-to-send-starving-syrians-pictures-of-food/ Supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's siege forces have taken to social media to taunt civilians trapped in the town…

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The Syrian town of Madaya has experienced 23 deaths from starvation under a months-long siege by President Bashar al-Assad's forces, Mic wrote.

The New York Times reported six of those cases were children yet to reach their first birthdays.

Mic noted an "insulting" trend on social media aimed at the residents of Madaya.

"Now, people who support the president's siege forces are using social media to taunt residents of the small town with pictures of their lavish meals," Mic's piece read. "The hashtag, written in Arabic, means 'solidarity with the siege of Madaya.'"

Many of the posts feature "sumptuous-looking" foods such as kebabs, whole fish and "mountains of bread," The Independent wrote. Use of the hashtag has been condemned as "sadistic" and disgusting.

The Independent indicated the trend began once al-Assad gave into pressure to allow humanitarian aid in the region for the first time since October.

The organization noted the importance of that aid.

"Madaya, a former holiday resort in mountains near the Lebanese border, has been under siege by the Syrian army and allies from the Lebanese Hezbollah militia for six months," the report read. "Around 40,000 people remain trapped and reliant on next week's shipment of food and medical supplies."

The Daily Mail noted that European Union officials call the regime's choice to allow humanitarian access in Madaya "a first step in the right direction."

Still, Dr. Mohamad Youssef, manager of the medical council in Madaya, gave Metro details in regards to the group regime supporters have mocked.

"'People are consuming water with sugar, salt or spices if they can find any,'" he said through a translator," Metro wrote. "'The death toll is striking mostly the elderly, women and children."

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How a Rolling Stone interview played a role in the capture of ‘El Chapo’ – and what critics are saying https://www.familytoday.com/family/how-a-rolling-stone-interview-played-a-role-in-the-capture-of-el-chapo-and-what-critics-are-saying/ Mon, 11 Jan 2016 16:20:00 +0000 http://www.famifi.com/oc/how-a-rolling-stone-interview-played-a-role-in-the-capture-of-el-chapo-and-what-critics-are-saying/ The recapture of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán this weekend included a twist: Actor Sean Penn's interview with…

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Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán's recapture Friday sparked an expected Internet reaction for such a headline - but what the dialogue detailed might've been a bit less predictable.

An aspect of Guzmán's arrest involving an American magazine and actor constituted a bulk of the talk.

And that made for a "twist worthy of Hollywood," The Wall Street Journal wrote.

""¦ It appeared the drug lord was recaptured partly because of his own silver screen ambitions, which led him to meet with actor Sean Penn and others in his hideout in October, a Mexican official said," the Journal reported. "In an article published late Saturday in Rolling Stone magazine, Mr. Penn recounted a long meeting with Mr. Guzmán, who escaped in July from a Mexican maximum security prison for the second time in 14 years."

In Rolling Stone's piece (which contains some graphic language), Penn recounted the seed, buildup and details of his exclusive interview with Guzmán, brokered by Mexican actor Kate del Castillo.

The interview itself included the drug lord commenting on his childhood, violent reputation and even relationship with his mother.

"Well, if I knew him - with respect, and from my point of view, it's a person who's not looking for problems in any way. In any way," Guzmán told Penn when asked to define himself.

The New York Times reported the 10,000-word article "rocked both Mexico and the United States when it was published Saturday night."

However, a portion of the ruckus caused on social media was in regards to the ethics of Penn and Rolling Stone; a disclosure preceding Penn's piece indicated Guzmán had "editorial approval" before the piece would be published - though the magazine noted Guzmán made no changes.

Still, some opined giving the drug lord say on the publication "negates the interview," The Washington Post noted.

"Allowing any source control over a story's content is inexcusable. The practice of pre-approval discredits the entire story," the Post quoted Andrew Seaman, chairman of the Society of Professional Journalist's ethics committee, as saying in a blog post. ""¦ The writer, who in this case is an actor and activist, may write the story in a more favorable light and omit unflattering facts in an attempt to not be rejected."

Rolling Stone remarked on these critiques in the Times' piece.

Managing editor Jason Fine told the Times the magazine had the option to not publish the piece if Guzmán sought changes. Jann Wenner, founder of the magazine, said giving the story's subject the option to edit "was a small thing to do in exchange for what we got."

USA Today detailed why questions over ethics come at a poor time for Rolling Stone.

The Washington Post uncovered "serious ethical lapses" in an article about alleged gang rape at the University of Virginia published in 2014, USA Today wrote.

An investigation conducted by Steve Coll, dean of the Columbia School of Journalism, concluded "there were serious journalistic failures in producing the article." And USA Today indicated that led to Rolling Stone retracting the piece and apologizing to readers last April.

Criticism of Penn's interview with Guzmán also extended to the actor's approach, The Independent reported. Critics argued Penn glorified a man responsible for the murders of thousands of people.

Some of those being journalists.

"Why didn't Sean Penn ask El Chapo how many real journalists his organization has killed?," freelance journalist Ben Taub wrote in a post, The Independent reported.

Other figures in journalism remarked on what journalists face when covering the cartels.

"Marty Baron, executive editor of the Washington Post, tweeted a link on Sunday to an article headlined 'Censor or die' about the intimidation techniques that cartel members apply to Mexican journalists to pressure them to censor the news," Reuter's article read. "'Good moment to remember what happens to real journalists who cover Mexican drug traffickers,' Baron said."

All conversation over Penn's piece wasn't negative, however, with Coll saying "scoring an exclusive interview with a wanted criminal is legitimate journalism no matter who the reporter is," the Times wrote.

Vice correspondent Danny Gold also came to Penn and Rolling Stone's defense, CNN Money reported.

"Never a fan of Penn's journalism," Gold wrote, "but me and every other journo would have compromised a whole lot more to get an interview with El Chapo. Anyone else who says otherwise is lying."

The Atlantic indicated Mexican authorities have begun the process to extradite Guzmán to the U.S.

Penn and del Castillo are reportedly under investigation by Mexican authorities.

In a brief email exchange with the Associated Press Monday, the AP asked about images published showing officials watching him and Del Castillo before their October visit with Guzmán.

"I've got nothin' to hide," Penn wrote.

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